A Guide To The Markets Of Thailand

Chatuchak Market is by far the largest market that you will come across in Thailand, and it could well be the largest on earth. Absolutely vast and bustling with stalls selling food, clothing, electronics, traditional handicrafts, fresh local produce, and a lot more besides, the market was recently reorganised into shopping zones to help make it easier for you to find what you are looking for.

Many Thai shoppers prefer to do their shopping in the cool of the evening so there are many night markets around Thailand. One of the largest is the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar. It sells all kinds, looks fantastic lit up and bustling late into the evening, and it is also the place to head for some of the tastiest authentic street food in the country.

A fashion-lovers dream, Bangkok is home to the specialist Pratunam Market – a market dedicated solely to clothing. Most clothing on offer is brand new, although there are some retro and second hand stalls. Haggling is big here, especially if you are buying more than one item where a knockdown price is expected.

A very traditional kind of Thai Market is the famous, and often photographed Talaat Naam, or Floating Market. As the name suggests, this market does not take place on dry land! Instead sellers line up their boats along the old waterways and canals that have been used for trade and communications for hundreds of years.

If you are looking for a floating market to visit, by far the largest is Damnen Saduak. It gets very busy unless you head there first thing in the morning at around 6am. A more relaxed and traditional market is Tha Kha, which is visited by less tourists and has a more authentic feel.

If you are staying in Phuket, you will find that the biggest market available is the Talad Nad Chaofa Variety Market. It hosts around 1000 stalls and opens at weekends only from 4.30pm into the evening. As well as fresh local produce and traditional local delicacies, you will find electronics, clothing, bags, textiles – in short, everything.